The Desire of Ages (Revised Edition) by E G White

Chapter 83—The Walk to Emmaus
This chapter is based on Luke 24:13-33.
Late in the afternoon of the day of the resurrection, two of the disciples were on their way to
Emmaus, a little town eight miles from Jerusalem. These disciples had had no prominent place in
Christ’s work, but they were earnest believers in Him. They had come to the city to keep the Passover,
and were greatly perplexed by the events that had recently taken place. They had heard the news of the
morning in regard to the removal of Christ’s body from the tomb, and also the report of the women
who had seen the angels and had met Jesus. They were now returning to their homes to meditate and
pray. Sadly they pursued their evening walk, talking over the scenes of the trial and the crucifixion.
Never before had they been so utterly disheartened. Hopeless and faithless, they were walking in the
shadow of the cross.
They had not advanced far on their journey when they were joined by a stranger, but they were
so absorbed in their gloom and disappointment that they did not observe him closely. They continued
their conversation, expressing the thoughts of their hearts. They were reasoning in regard to the lessons
that Christ had given, which they seemed unable to comprehend. As they talked of the events that had
taken place, Jesus longed to comfort them. He had seen their grief; He understood the conflicting,
perplexing ideas that brought to their minds the thought, Can this Man, who suffered Himself to be so
humiliated, be the Christ? Their grief could not be restrained, and they wept. Jesus knew that their
hearts were bound up with Him in love, and He longed to wipe away their tears, and fill them with joy
and gladness. But He must first give them lessons they would never forget.
“He said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as
ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto Him, Art
Thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these
days?” They told Him of their disappointment in regard to their Master, “which was a prophet mighty
in deed and word before God and all the people;” but “the chief priests and our rulers,” they said,
“delivered Him to be condemned to death, and have crucified Him.” With hearts sore with
disappointment, and with quivering lips, they added, “We trusted that it had been He which should
have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done.”
Strange that the disciples did not remember Christ’s words, and realize that He had foretold the
events which had come to pass! They did not realize that the last part of His disclosure would be just
as verily fulfilled as the first part, that the third day He would rise again. This was the part they should
have remembered. The priests and rulers did not forget this. On the day “that followed the day of the
536